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ERC FUNDED PROJECTS

ProjectNineteenth-Century Euclid: Geometry and the Literary Imagination from Wordsworth to Wells

Researcher (PI)Alice Jenkins

Host Institution (HI)UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW

Call DetailsStarting Grant (StG), SH4, ERC-2007-StG

SummaryThis radically interdisciplinary project aims to bring a substantially new field of research – literature and mathematics studies – to prominence as a tool for investigating the culture of nineteenth-century Britain. It will result in three kinds of outcome: a monograph, two interdisciplinary and international colloquia, and a collection of essays. The project focuses on Euclidean geometry as a key element of nineteenth-century literary and scientific culture, showing that it was part of the shared knowledge flowing through elite and popular Romantic and Victorian writing, and figuring notably in the work of very many of the century’s best-known writers. Despite its traditional cultural prestige and educational centrality, geometry has been almost wholly neglected by literary history. This project shows how literature and mathematics studies can draw a new map of nineteenth-century British culture, revitalising our understanding of the Romantic and Victorian imagination through its writing about geometry.

This radically interdisciplinary project aims to bring a substantially new field of research – literature and mathematics studies – to prominence as a tool for investigating the culture of nineteenth-century Britain. It will result in three kinds of outcome: a monograph, two interdisciplinary and international colloquia, and a collection of essays. The project focuses on Euclidean geometry as a key element of nineteenth-century literary and scientific culture, showing that it was part of the shared knowledge flowing through elite and popular Romantic and Victorian writing, and figuring notably in the work of very many of the century’s best-known writers. Despite its traditional cultural prestige and educational centrality, geometry has been almost wholly neglected by literary history. This project shows how literature and mathematics studies can draw a new map of nineteenth-century British culture, revitalising our understanding of the Romantic and Victorian imagination through its writing about geometry.

Max ERC Funding

323 118 €

Duration

Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2011-10-31

Project acronym2-HIT

ProjectGenetic interaction networks: From C. elegans to human disease

Researcher (PI)Ben Lehner

Host Institution (HI)FUNDACIO CENTRE DE REGULACIO GENOMICA

Call DetailsStarting Grant (StG), LS2, ERC-2007-StG

SummaryMost hereditary diseases in humans are genetically complex, resulting from combinations of mutations in multiple genes. However synthetic interactions between genes are very difficult to identify in population studies because of a lack of statistical power and we fundamentally do not understand how mutations interact to produce phenotypes. C. elegans is a unique animal in which genetic interactions can be rapidly identified in vivo using RNA interference, and we recently used this system to construct the first genetic interaction network for any animal, focused on signal transduction genes. The first objective of this proposal is to extend this work and map a comprehensive genetic interaction network for this model metazoan. This project will provide the first insights into the global properties of animal genetic interaction networks, and a comprehensive view of the functional relationships between genes in an animal. The second objective of the proposal is to use C. elegans to develop and validate experimentally integrated gene networks that connect genes to phenotypes and predict genetic interactions on a genome-wide scale. The methods that we develop and validate in C. elegans will then be applied to predict phenotypes and interactions for human genes. The final objective is to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic interactions, and to understand how these interactions evolve. The combined aim of these three objectives is to generate a framework for understanding and predicting how mutations interact to produce phenotypes, including in human disease.

Most hereditary diseases in humans are genetically complex, resulting from combinations of mutations in multiple genes. However synthetic interactions between genes are very difficult to identify in population studies because of a lack of statistical power and we fundamentally do not understand how mutations interact to produce phenotypes. C. elegans is a unique animal in which genetic interactions can be rapidly identified in vivo using RNA interference, and we recently used this system to construct the first genetic interaction network for any animal, focused on signal transduction genes. The first objective of this proposal is to extend this work and map a comprehensive genetic interaction network for this model metazoan. This project will provide the first insights into the global properties of animal genetic interaction networks, and a comprehensive view of the functional relationships between genes in an animal. The second objective of the proposal is to use C. elegans to develop and validate experimentally integrated gene networks that connect genes to phenotypes and predict genetic interactions on a genome-wide scale. The methods that we develop and validate in C. elegans will then be applied to predict phenotypes and interactions for human genes. The final objective is to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic interactions, and to understand how these interactions evolve. The combined aim of these three objectives is to generate a framework for understanding and predicting how mutations interact to produce phenotypes, including in human disease.

Max ERC Funding

1 100 000 €

Duration

Start date: 2008-09-01, End date: 2014-04-30

Project acronym3D-FM

ProjectTaking Force Microscopy into the Third Dimension

Researcher (PI)Tjerk Hendrik Oosterkamp

Host Institution (HI)UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN

Call DetailsStarting Grant (StG), PE3, ERC-2007-StG

SummaryI propose to pursue two emerging Force Microscopy techniques that allow measuring structural properties below the surface of the specimen. Whereas Force Microscopy (most commonly known under the name AFM) is usually limited to measuring the surface topography and surface properties of a specimen, I will demonstrate that Force Microscopy can achieve true 3D images of the structure of the cell nucleus. In Ultrasound Force Microscopy, an ultrasound wave is launched from below towards the surface of the specimen. After the sound waves interact with structures beneath the surface of the specimen, the local variations in the amplitude and phase shift of the ultrasonic surface motion is collected by the Force Microscopy tip. Previously, measured 2D maps of the surface response have shown that the surface response is sensitive to structures below the surface. In this project I will employ miniature AFM cantilevers and nanotube tips that I have already developed in my lab. This will allow me to quickly acquire many such 2D maps at a much wider range of ultrasound frequencies and from these 2D maps calculate the full 3D structure below the surface. I expect this technique to have a resolving power better than 10 nm in three dimensions as far as 2 microns below the surface. In parallel I will introduce a major improvement to a technique based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy measures the interaction of a rotating nuclear spin in the field gradient of a magnetic Force Microscopy tip. However, these forces are so small that they pose an enormous challenge. Miniature cantilevers and nanotube tips, in combination with additional innovations in the detection of the cantilever motion, can overcome this problem. I expect to be able to measure the combined signal of 100 proton spins or fewer, which will allow me to measure proton densities with a resolution of 5 nm, but possibly even with atomic resolution.

I propose to pursue two emerging Force Microscopy techniques that allow measuring structural properties below the surface of the specimen. Whereas Force Microscopy (most commonly known under the name AFM) is usually limited to measuring the surface topography and surface properties of a specimen, I will demonstrate that Force Microscopy can achieve true 3D images of the structure of the cell nucleus. In Ultrasound Force Microscopy, an ultrasound wave is launched from below towards the surface of the specimen. After the sound waves interact with structures beneath the surface of the specimen, the local variations in the amplitude and phase shift of the ultrasonic surface motion is collected by the Force Microscopy tip. Previously, measured 2D maps of the surface response have shown that the surface response is sensitive to structures below the surface. In this project I will employ miniature AFM cantilevers and nanotube tips that I have already developed in my lab. This will allow me to quickly acquire many such 2D maps at a much wider range of ultrasound frequencies and from these 2D maps calculate the full 3D structure below the surface. I expect this technique to have a resolving power better than 10 nm in three dimensions as far as 2 microns below the surface. In parallel I will introduce a major improvement to a technique based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy measures the interaction of a rotating nuclear spin in the field gradient of a magnetic Force Microscopy tip. However, these forces are so small that they pose an enormous challenge. Miniature cantilevers and nanotube tips, in combination with additional innovations in the detection of the cantilever motion, can overcome this problem. I expect to be able to measure the combined signal of 100 proton spins or fewer, which will allow me to measure proton densities with a resolution of 5 nm, but possibly even with atomic resolution.

Max ERC Funding

1 794 960 €

Duration

Start date: 2008-08-01, End date: 2013-07-31

Project acronym4C

Project4C technology: uncovering the multi-dimensional structure of the genome

SummaryThe architecture of DNA in the cell nucleus is an emerging epigenetic key contributor to genome function. We recently developed 4C technology, a high-throughput technique that combines state-of-the-art 3C technology with tailored micro-arrays to uniquely allow for an unbiased genome-wide search for DNA loci that interact in the nuclear space. Based on 4C technology, we were the first to provide a comprehensive overview of long-range DNA contacts of selected loci. The data showed that active and inactive chromatin domains contact many distinct regions within and between chromosomes and genes switch long-range DNA contacts in relation to their expression status. 4C technology not only allows investigating the three-dimensional structure of DNA in the nucleus, it also accurately reconstructs at least 10 megabases of the one-dimensional chromosome sequence map around the target sequence. Changes in this physical map as a result of genomic rearrangements are therefore identified by 4C technology. We recently demonstrated that 4C detects deletions, balanced inversions and translocations in patient samples at a resolution (~7kb) that allowed immediate sequencing of the breakpoints. Excitingly, 4C technology therefore offers the first high-resolution genomic approach that can identify both balanced and unbalanced genomic rearrangements. 4C is expected to become an important tool in clinical diagnosis and prognosis. Key objectives of this proposal are: 1. Explore the functional significance of DNA folding in the nucleus by systematically applying 4C technology to differentially expressed gene loci. 2. Adapt 4C technology such that it allows for massive parallel analysis of DNA interactions between regulatory elements and gene promoters. This method would greatly facilitate the identification of functionally relevant DNA elements in the genome. 3. Develop 4C technology into a clinical diagnostic tool for the accurate detection of balanced and unbalanced rearrangements.

The architecture of DNA in the cell nucleus is an emerging epigenetic key contributor to genome function. We recently developed 4C technology, a high-throughput technique that combines state-of-the-art 3C technology with tailored micro-arrays to uniquely allow for an unbiased genome-wide search for DNA loci that interact in the nuclear space. Based on 4C technology, we were the first to provide a comprehensive overview of long-range DNA contacts of selected loci. The data showed that active and inactive chromatin domains contact many distinct regions within and between chromosomes and genes switch long-range DNA contacts in relation to their expression status. 4C technology not only allows investigating the three-dimensional structure of DNA in the nucleus, it also accurately reconstructs at least 10 megabases of the one-dimensional chromosome sequence map around the target sequence. Changes in this physical map as a result of genomic rearrangements are therefore identified by 4C technology. We recently demonstrated that 4C detects deletions, balanced inversions and translocations in patient samples at a resolution (~7kb) that allowed immediate sequencing of the breakpoints. Excitingly, 4C technology therefore offers the first high-resolution genomic approach that can identify both balanced and unbalanced genomic rearrangements. 4C is expected to become an important tool in clinical diagnosis and prognosis. Key objectives of this proposal are: 1. Explore the functional significance of DNA folding in the nucleus by systematically applying 4C technology to differentially expressed gene loci. 2. Adapt 4C technology such that it allows for massive parallel analysis of DNA interactions between regulatory elements and gene promoters. This method would greatly facilitate the identification of functionally relevant DNA elements in the genome. 3. Develop 4C technology into a clinical diagnostic tool for the accurate detection of balanced and unbalanced rearrangements.

SummaryThe focus of this project is the development of algorithms that allow one to capture and analyse dynamic events taking place in the real world. For this, we intend to develop smart camera networks that can perform a multitude of observation tasks, ranging from surveillance and tracking to high-fidelity, immersive reconstructions of important dynamic events (i.e. 4D videos). There are many fundamental questions in computer vision associated with these problems. Can the geometric, topologic and photometric properties of the camera network be obtained from live images? What is changing about the environment in which the network is embedded? How much information can be obtained from dynamic events that are observed by the network? What if the camera network consists of a random collection of sensors that happened to observe a particular event (think hand-held cell phone cameras)? Do we need synchronization? Those questions become even more challenging if one considers active camera networks that can adapt to the vision task at hand. How should resources be prioritized for different tasks? Can we derive optimal strategies to control camera parameters such as pan, tilt and zoom, trade-off resolution, frame-rate and bandwidth? More fundamentally, seeing cameras as points that sample incoming light rays and camera networks as a distributed sensor, how does one decide which rays should be sampled? Many of those issues are particularly interesting when we consider time-varying events. Both spatial and temporal resolution are important and heterogeneous frame-rates and resolution can offer advantages. Prior knowledge or information obtained from earlier samples can be used to restrict the possible range of solutions (e.g. smoothness assumption and motion prediction). My goal is to obtain fundamental answers to many of those question based on thorough theoretical analysis combined with practical algorithms that are proven on real applications.

The focus of this project is the development of algorithms that allow one to capture and analyse dynamic events taking place in the real world. For this, we intend to develop smart camera networks that can perform a multitude of observation tasks, ranging from surveillance and tracking to high-fidelity, immersive reconstructions of important dynamic events (i.e. 4D videos). There are many fundamental questions in computer vision associated with these problems. Can the geometric, topologic and photometric properties of the camera network be obtained from live images? What is changing about the environment in which the network is embedded? How much information can be obtained from dynamic events that are observed by the network? What if the camera network consists of a random collection of sensors that happened to observe a particular event (think hand-held cell phone cameras)? Do we need synchronization? Those questions become even more challenging if one considers active camera networks that can adapt to the vision task at hand. How should resources be prioritized for different tasks? Can we derive optimal strategies to control camera parameters such as pan, tilt and zoom, trade-off resolution, frame-rate and bandwidth? More fundamentally, seeing cameras as points that sample incoming light rays and camera networks as a distributed sensor, how does one decide which rays should be sampled? Many of those issues are particularly interesting when we consider time-varying events. Both spatial and temporal resolution are important and heterogeneous frame-rates and resolution can offer advantages. Prior knowledge or information obtained from earlier samples can be used to restrict the possible range of solutions (e.g. smoothness assumption and motion prediction). My goal is to obtain fundamental answers to many of those question based on thorough theoretical analysis combined with practical algorithms that are proven on real applications.

Max ERC Funding

1 757 422 €

Duration

Start date: 2008-08-01, End date: 2013-11-30

Project acronymAAMDDR

ProjectDNA damage response and genome stability: The role of ATM, ATR and the Mre11 complex

Researcher (PI)Vincenzo Costanzo

Host Institution (HI)CANCER RESEARCH UK LBG

Call DetailsStarting Grant (StG), LS1, ERC-2007-StG

SummaryChromosomal DNA is continuously subjected to exogenous and endogenous damaging insults. In the presence of DNA damage cells activate a multi-faceted checkpoint response that delays cell cycle progression and promotes DNA repair. Failures in this response lead to genomic instability, the main feature of cancer cells. Several cancer-prone human syndromes including the Ataxia teleangiectasia (A-T), the A-T Like Disorder (ATLD) and the Seckel Syndrome reflect defects in the specific genes of the DNA damage response such as ATM, MRE11 and ATR. DNA damage response pathways are poorly understood at biochemical level in vertebrate organisms. We have established a cell-free system based on Xenopus laevis egg extract to study molecular events underlying DNA damage response. This is the first in vitro system that recapitulates different aspects of the DNA damage response in vertebrates. Using this system we propose to study the biochemistry of the ATM, ATR and the Mre11 complex dependent DNA damage response. In particular we will: 1) Dissect the signal transduction pathway that senses DNA damage and promotes cell cycle arrest and DNA damage repair; 2) Analyze at molecular level the role of ATM, ATR, Mre11 in chromosomal DNA replication and mitosis during normal and stressful conditions; 3) Identify substrates of the ATM and ATR dependent DNA damage response using an innovative screening procedure.

Chromosomal DNA is continuously subjected to exogenous and endogenous damaging insults. In the presence of DNA damage cells activate a multi-faceted checkpoint response that delays cell cycle progression and promotes DNA repair. Failures in this response lead to genomic instability, the main feature of cancer cells. Several cancer-prone human syndromes including the Ataxia teleangiectasia (A-T), the A-T Like Disorder (ATLD) and the Seckel Syndrome reflect defects in the specific genes of the DNA damage response such as ATM, MRE11 and ATR. DNA damage response pathways are poorly understood at biochemical level in vertebrate organisms. We have established a cell-free system based on Xenopus laevis egg extract to study molecular events underlying DNA damage response. This is the first in vitro system that recapitulates different aspects of the DNA damage response in vertebrates. Using this system we propose to study the biochemistry of the ATM, ATR and the Mre11 complex dependent DNA damage response. In particular we will: 1) Dissect the signal transduction pathway that senses DNA damage and promotes cell cycle arrest and DNA damage repair; 2) Analyze at molecular level the role of ATM, ATR, Mre11 in chromosomal DNA replication and mitosis during normal and stressful conditions; 3) Identify substrates of the ATM and ATR dependent DNA damage response using an innovative screening procedure.

SummaryThe main objective of this research project is to contribute at bridging the gap between the two main branches of financial theory, namely corporate finance and asset pricing. It is motivated by the conviction that these two aspects of financial activity should and can be analyzed within a unified framework. This research will borrow from these two approaches in order to construct theoretical models that allow one to analyze the design and issuance of financial securities, as well as the dynamics of their valuations. Unlike asset pricing, which takes as given the price of the fundamentals, the goal is to derive security price processes from a precise description of firm’s operations and internal frictions. Regarding the latter, and in line with traditional corporate finance theory, the analysis will emphasize the role of agency costs within the firm for the design of its securities. But the analysis will be pushed one step further by studying the impact of these agency costs on key financial variables such as stock and bond prices, leverage, book-to-market ratios, default risk, or the holding of liquidities by firms. One of the contributions of this research project is to show how these variables are interrelated when firms and investors agree upon optimal financial arrangements. The final objective is to derive a rich set of testable asset pricing implications that would eventually be brought to the data.

The main objective of this research project is to contribute at bridging the gap between the two main branches of financial theory, namely corporate finance and asset pricing. It is motivated by the conviction that these two aspects of financial activity should and can be analyzed within a unified framework. This research will borrow from these two approaches in order to construct theoretical models that allow one to analyze the design and issuance of financial securities, as well as the dynamics of their valuations. Unlike asset pricing, which takes as given the price of the fundamentals, the goal is to derive security price processes from a precise description of firm’s operations and internal frictions. Regarding the latter, and in line with traditional corporate finance theory, the analysis will emphasize the role of agency costs within the firm for the design of its securities. But the analysis will be pushed one step further by studying the impact of these agency costs on key financial variables such as stock and bond prices, leverage, book-to-market ratios, default risk, or the holding of liquidities by firms. One of the contributions of this research project is to show how these variables are interrelated when firms and investors agree upon optimal financial arrangements. The final objective is to derive a rich set of testable asset pricing implications that would eventually be brought to the data.

SummaryObesity associated disorders such as T2D, hypertension and CVD, commonly referred to as the “metabolic syndrome”, are prevalent diseases of industrialized societies. Deranged adipose tissue proliferation and differentiation contribute significantly to the development of these metabolic disorders. Comparatively little however is known, about how these processes influence the development of metabolic disorders. Using a multidisciplinary approach, I plan to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying the altered adipocyte differentiation and maturation in different models of obesity associated metabolic disorders. Special emphasis will be given to the analysis of gene expression, postranslational modifications and lipid molecular species composition. To achieve this goal, I am establishing several novel methods to isolate pure primary preadipocytes including a new animal model that will allow me to monitor preadipocytes, in vivo and track their cellular fate in the context of a complete organism. These systems will allow, for the first time to study preadipocyte biology, in an in vivo setting. By monitoring preadipocyte differentiation in vivo, I will also be able to answer the key questions regarding the development of preadipocytes and examine signals that induce or inhibit their differentiation. Using transplantation techniques, I will elucidate the genetic and environmental contributions to the progression of obesity and its associated metabolic disorders. Furthermore, these studies will integrate a lipidomics approach to systematically analyze lipid molecular species composition in different models of metabolic disorders. My studies will provide new insights into the mechanisms and dynamics underlying adipocyte differentiation and maturation, and relate them to metabolic disorders. Detailed knowledge of these mechanisms will facilitate development of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

Obesity associated disorders such as T2D, hypertension and CVD, commonly referred to as the “metabolic syndrome”, are prevalent diseases of industrialized societies. Deranged adipose tissue proliferation and differentiation contribute significantly to the development of these metabolic disorders. Comparatively little however is known, about how these processes influence the development of metabolic disorders. Using a multidisciplinary approach, I plan to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying the altered adipocyte differentiation and maturation in different models of obesity associated metabolic disorders. Special emphasis will be given to the analysis of gene expression, postranslational modifications and lipid molecular species composition. To achieve this goal, I am establishing several novel methods to isolate pure primary preadipocytes including a new animal model that will allow me to monitor preadipocytes, in vivo and track their cellular fate in the context of a complete organism. These systems will allow, for the first time to study preadipocyte biology, in an in vivo setting. By monitoring preadipocyte differentiation in vivo, I will also be able to answer the key questions regarding the development of preadipocytes and examine signals that induce or inhibit their differentiation. Using transplantation techniques, I will elucidate the genetic and environmental contributions to the progression of obesity and its associated metabolic disorders. Furthermore, these studies will integrate a lipidomics approach to systematically analyze lipid molecular species composition in different models of metabolic disorders. My studies will provide new insights into the mechanisms and dynamics underlying adipocyte differentiation and maturation, and relate them to metabolic disorders. Detailed knowledge of these mechanisms will facilitate development of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

SummaryNew insight into ever smaller microscopic units of matter as well as in ever faster evolving chemical, physical or atomic processes pushes the frontiers in many fields in science. Pump/probe experiments turned out to be the most direct approach to time-domain investigations of fast-evolving microscopic processes. Accessing atomic and molecular inner-shell processes directly in the time-domain requires a combination of short wavelengths in the few hundred eV range and sub-femtosecond pulse duration. The concept of light-field-controlled XUV photoemission employs an XUV pulse achieved by High-order Harmonic Generation (HHG) as a pump and the light pulse as a probe or vice versa. The basic prerequisite, namely the generation and measurement of isolated sub-femtosecond XUV pulses synchronized to a strong few-cycle light pulse with attosecond precision, opens up a route to time-resolved inner-shell atomic and molecular spectroscopy with present day sources. Studies of attosecond electronic motion (1 as = 10-18 s) in solids and on surfaces and interfaces have until now remained out of reach. The unprecedented time resolution of the aforementioned technique will enable for the first time monitoring of sub-fs dynamics of such systems in the time domain. These dynamics – of electronic excitation, relaxation, and wave packet motion – are of broad scientific interest and pertinent to the development of many modern technologies including semiconductor and molecular electronics, optoelectronics, information processing, photovoltaics, and optical nano-structuring. The purpose of this project is to investigate phenomena like the temporal evolution of direct photoemission, interference effects in resonant photoemission, fast adsorbate-substrate charge transfer, and electronic dynamics in supramolecular assemblies, in a series of experiments in order to overcome the temporal limits of measurements in solid state physics and to better understand processes in microcosm.

New insight into ever smaller microscopic units of matter as well as in ever faster evolving chemical, physical or atomic processes pushes the frontiers in many fields in science. Pump/probe experiments turned out to be the most direct approach to time-domain investigations of fast-evolving microscopic processes. Accessing atomic and molecular inner-shell processes directly in the time-domain requires a combination of short wavelengths in the few hundred eV range and sub-femtosecond pulse duration. The concept of light-field-controlled XUV photoemission employs an XUV pulse achieved by High-order Harmonic Generation (HHG) as a pump and the light pulse as a probe or vice versa. The basic prerequisite, namely the generation and measurement of isolated sub-femtosecond XUV pulses synchronized to a strong few-cycle light pulse with attosecond precision, opens up a route to time-resolved inner-shell atomic and molecular spectroscopy with present day sources. Studies of attosecond electronic motion (1 as = 10-18 s) in solids and on surfaces and interfaces have until now remained out of reach. The unprecedented time resolution of the aforementioned technique will enable for the first time monitoring of sub-fs dynamics of such systems in the time domain. These dynamics – of electronic excitation, relaxation, and wave packet motion – are of broad scientific interest and pertinent to the development of many modern technologies including semiconductor and molecular electronics, optoelectronics, information processing, photovoltaics, and optical nano-structuring. The purpose of this project is to investigate phenomena like the temporal evolution of direct photoemission, interference effects in resonant photoemission, fast adsorbate-substrate charge transfer, and electronic dynamics in supramolecular assemblies, in a series of experiments in order to overcome the temporal limits of measurements in solid state physics and to better understand processes in microcosm.

Max ERC Funding

1 296 000 €

Duration

Start date: 2008-10-01, End date: 2013-09-30

Project acronymAFDMATS

ProjectAnton Francesco Doni – Multimedia Archive Texts and Sources

Researcher (PI)Giovanna Rizzarelli

Host Institution (HI)SCUOLA NORMALE SUPERIORE

Call DetailsStarting Grant (StG), SH4, ERC-2007-StG

SummaryThis project aims at creating a multimedia archive of the printed works of Anton Francesco Doni, who was not only an author but also a typographer, a publisher and a member of the Giolito and Marcolini’s editorial staff. The analysis of Doni’s work may be a good way to investigate appropriation, text rewriting and image reusing practices which are typical of several authors of the 16th Century, as clearly shown by the critics in the last decades. This project intends to bring to light the wide range of impulses from which Doni’s texts are generated, with a great emphasis on the figurative aspect. The encoding of these texts will be carried out using the TEI (Text Encoding Initiative) guidelines, which will enable any single text to interact with a range of intertextual references both at a local level (inside the same text) and at a macrostructural level (references to other texts by Doni or to other authors). The elements that will emerge from the textual encoding concern: A) The use of images Real images: the complex relation between Doni’s writing and the xylographies available in Marcolini’s printing-house or belonging to other collections. Mental images: the remarkable presence of verbal images, as descriptions, ekphràseis, figurative visions, dreams and iconographic allusions not accompanied by illustrations, but related to a recognizable visual repertoire or to real images that will be reproduced. B) The use of sources A parallel archive of the texts most used by Doni will be created. Digital anastatic reproductions of the 16th-Century editions known by Doni will be provided whenever available. The various forms of intertextuality will be divided into the following typologies: allusions; citations; rewritings; plagiarisms; self-quotations. Finally, the different forms of narrative (tales, short stories, anecdotes, lyrics) and the different idiomatic expressions (proverbial forms and wellerisms) will also be encoded.

This project aims at creating a multimedia archive of the printed works of Anton Francesco Doni, who was not only an author but also a typographer, a publisher and a member of the Giolito and Marcolini’s editorial staff. The analysis of Doni’s work may be a good way to investigate appropriation, text rewriting and image reusing practices which are typical of several authors of the 16th Century, as clearly shown by the critics in the last decades. This project intends to bring to light the wide range of impulses from which Doni’s texts are generated, with a great emphasis on the figurative aspect. The encoding of these texts will be carried out using the TEI (Text Encoding Initiative) guidelines, which will enable any single text to interact with a range of intertextual references both at a local level (inside the same text) and at a macrostructural level (references to other texts by Doni or to other authors). The elements that will emerge from the textual encoding concern: A) The use of images Real images: the complex relation between Doni’s writing and the xylographies available in Marcolini’s printing-house or belonging to other collections. Mental images: the remarkable presence of verbal images, as descriptions, ekphràseis, figurative visions, dreams and iconographic allusions not accompanied by illustrations, but related to a recognizable visual repertoire or to real images that will be reproduced. B) The use of sources A parallel archive of the texts most used by Doni will be created. Digital anastatic reproductions of the 16th-Century editions known by Doni will be provided whenever available. The various forms of intertextuality will be divided into the following typologies: allusions; citations; rewritings; plagiarisms; self-quotations. Finally, the different forms of narrative (tales, short stories, anecdotes, lyrics) and the different idiomatic expressions (proverbial forms and wellerisms) will also be encoded.